News Articles
5th May 2009
Gay footballers celebrate win privately for fear of being outed
(Source: Pinknews.co.uk)
The Scottish football team which won the Gay National League Cup had to celebrate its victory in
private because some players were afraid of losing their jobs.
HotScots, the first LGBT Scottish team, defeated GFC Bournemouth 1-0 in the final on Sunday.
However, team chairman Kevin Rowe has said that some players have not yet come out to their
bosses and were afraid of being fired if they came out.
According to the Daily Record, he said: "It's a real shame that some of our lads have not come
out yet, so they cannot bask fully in the limelight.
"Some of the guys are teachers and policemen and still do not feel comfortable with being
publicly outed.
"You wouldn't think this was the 21st century, would you?"
Even the striker who scored the winning goal has refused to give his full name.
The club was formed in 2007 and welcomes players and supporters regardless of their sexuality
or background.
Mr Rowe said: "If you'd have told me when I formed the club that we'd have won the national
league cup less than two years later, I wouldn't have believed you.
"The club was formed to give gay people a chance to get back into the sport and winning this
trophy is proof that we have come such a long way in a little space of time.
"I know the lads will enjoy this win and it's something that will live in the memory for many
years to come. It's an amazing achievement."
